The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-10-14

tba river was swollen now anu =
Sroo5. muddy waters stopped his
9isbt. The only bridge for miles was
DoIe Billy heard the horns SUI,
SIoWinp in the distance. "Too late
ba mnttered. II forgot l was a oe'
serter ez soon ez l got home" Alter
a while. when he thought the guards
had zone away, he went back TO MS
Lome The house was all desolate
now. His wife was dead, She thought
that he had lett her, and her sorrows
became more than she oul Dear'
To the burying ground that was not
far away. where for many generations
He'll Town had laid it's head to rest
Victorine's body vas borne. The
roaJ that led there lay through a
nine wood. and all day long, even
when the aspen leaves in front OF Bill
Tvs house hung Idle fOr want OF d
breath of air, u sad, murmurlng
| sound was heard here, as though n
dark pines needed no wandering
breeze to give their sorrows voice;
With strange ftfulness the sorrowtul
sounds would start in some ar'ot1spoC,
and move from tree to tree, from llmo
to limb, swelling almost into a shrek,
and then they would die away, leaving
behind an undertone of sadness. The
sunlight hid it's brightness as 1t start
ed through the signing limbs, and Tell
slowly until it faded away upon the
ground.
By Billy's request only q few per.
sons were present. When he was ASKED
what preacher he wished, he SAID:
Don't want none. Miss Lucy II do.
She was Vic's teacher at Way-side Sun
day school, and she's all the preacher
l wants" Much secrecy was necessa-
ry for their proceedings, lest the pro-
vost guard might catch Billy. So the
services were appointed for sunset,
and no hymn was to be sung.
The rude coffin was borne on an
old cart, which was driven by
Billy. He seemed to resent the aid OF
any one in handling the body. But q
few old men were presentto help lower
the coffin into the grave. When this
was done, Billy turned to Miss Lucy
and said, you kin read now"
"I am the resurrection and the life. -
With pitiful accents the sweet voice
read the solemn words. Billy stood
by the grave, and leaned in a llstless
way upon the long handle OF a shovel.
The women wept, and the old men,
hatless about the grave, listened with
sLolid indifference. When Miss Lucy
came to the words of committal she
paused for some one TO cast the clods
upon the coffin. No one moved, or
seemed to know what was wanted.
She stepped close to the grave, stoop-
ed down, and took some earth in her
hand. Dust to dust" As the clods
fell upon the coffin Billy looked at
Miss Lucy and spoke: 81 could O.
done that, Miss Lucy. l beg your
pardon, but maybe you knows best,
an she loved you"
Just then a negro came running out
of the woods, shouting as he ran,
"Dee's commit dee's cominI'
"Who's comm, boy?" asked Billy,
as he drew his revolver. Then he
threw back his head, and his nostrils
quivered with excitement.
"Is's de guards an Mister Jim Low.
ny a-lookin' fer Mister Billy He'll Stan
ley"
Behind the boys was heard horses
feet. All vas excitement Wom-
en- cried to Billy to run. Men urged
him to go, but he stood still. Miss
Lucy laid her hand on his arm and
said. "Do your duty, Billy"
81 will" he said, and motioned the
people away from him.
forr men, led by Jim Lowry, rode
rapidly toward tho grave. AS they
can they drew their revolvers and
called to Billy to surrender. He
stood calmly, with a slight smile play.
ing about his lips. The chance OF a
fight with these hunters OF men pleas
ed him. Jim dism ounted, and level.
ed his pistol at Billy.
"Stand back, Jim," said Billy.
Don't none o. you men dyah ter tech
me until Miss IIucy's done reading"
Still Jim advanced, for he did not
see the revolver in Billy's hand.
Back" cried Billy, raising his
weapon and taking aim at Jim.
sTain't no home gyasd kin tex me
alive onless | let's him"
"Stopl" exclaimed Miss Lucy, step.
ping in front of Billy laying her hand
on his pistol. Let him alone, Jim,
until the services are done. I'll be his
security"
Jim lowered his weapon, stopped,
and said in an apologetic tone, ~
thought he might rum"
What fers' said Billy. II amt got
nuthin' ter run fer now" and hs
pointed to the open grave, and The
two little ones newly made at hi
feet. A sob OF pain burst from
him Then he aaa1d A1 =.
back the tears and raised his head
Q kin TEX me now III I'm tor bi
shot ez q deserter, let ii be done BIZ
the soldiers, an not by a PROVO
gyard. Go on, Miss Lucy" aud hi
pistol fell into the grave.
WMnn &kA aMmxrfmnm ~wm.M 49, nstg.